[horse345]

Okay. So my paint mare, Ghost, seems to have lack of focus. I would almost describe her as ADD with some separation anxiety. She has lack of focus on the ground AND under saddle, and it really bugs me. I am *always* having to put her attention on me. She's on coastal hay, oats and a RB. Gets 2 hours of turn out a day when weather is permitting, plus me riding when time permits and at least being lunged every day from anywhere between 15 and 30 mins. I was supplementing her with about 3 pounds alfalfa, but I have gradually taken these away as I thought they could be the source of her energy/lack of focus on me.

Yesterday and today I just seemed to be at my wits end with her. I saddled both Lady and Ghost in the barn because it was raining and took them both to the covered arena. I rode Lady first and had tied Ghost to the rail. Ghost would not stand still. She pawed a hole in the corner of the arena that came up to the middle of her cannon bones. I took my time riding Lady close by and far away from her, and each time she would get nervous, paw, not stand still and continue to watch us.

I had to get off Lady at one point and retie Ghost as she pulled back once and her lead rope became loose. As I was walking up to her she swung her butt towards me. I tapped her on her hind quarters to make her move away from me and she did a threatening little hop in my direction. I made her stand there for about an hour longer before I rode her and then she rode fine.

Today she did not ride fine at first. I put her on the hot walker, saddled for about an hour while I rode Lady. The walker was just set enough to where she could trot and walk, nothing too strenuous, I just wanted to get her moving and to release some energy. After I rode Lady, I got on Ghost. She pranced around, and would not stand still under saddle so, we got to moving our feet. We did some good loping/galloping for about 30 mins, afterwards, I stopped to see if she would stand still. Nope. So we got moving again for about another 30 mins. Finally, I was letting her do some walking and she noticed some horses in a neighboring pasture. She focused only on them and as soon as I tried to redirect her attention to me (I just simply picked up my reins and put a little leg on her), she blew up. She took off rearing and then bucking.

I put her back on the hot walker for about 30 mins. And then I lunged for 30 mins, while she had the bridle and saddle on, I wanted her to work. Finally, I rode again and she was finally tired enough and had her focus on me. And...imagine that! When she is tired she stands still!

I understand that it is a horses nature to want to be with other horses, but I've never had a horse that focuses on that instead of it's rider/handler all the time. I guess I am not forcing my "dominance" or my "alpha mare" enough to her, but I am all out of ideas to try. We've tried tying her for several hours for several months, but no avail to her standing still or pawing.

[dvineequine]

I would try to engage her brain rather than physical work. She is getting fitter and fitter physically but still is not being challenged mentally. This will probably take all you have to offer to keep her busy with "things", you will need to be patient and very creative. Use a ball, poles, a tarp, umbrella, barrels ect. When you ride do mind challenging tasks, eg. one foot over the pole, figure 8 around the barrel with minimal help from you, stop at the tarp, foot on tarp ect. Start to get her to do turn on hq turn on fq, when she tries reward and move on don't dwell on the task, just that she actually pays attention to what you are asking and it won't take long for you and her to start connecting.
Engage the brain.

[jedy]

Ugh, that seems like a lot of "letting steam out"!!! It'll lead you nowhere, the fitter she gets the more she'll missbehave for you. The problem is elsewhere.
(taking back seat to see the replies of more knowledgable people)

[Lopinslow]

First, if possible i would increase turnout time as much as possible.

I have an ADD gelding as well, but luckily he is all WP horse and generally doesn't have much energy (just don't get him alfalfa or he turns into a raving lunatic!).
he also used to be very attached to the other horses (even a new one within 5 minutes!) so he has spent a lot of time turned out or in the barn alone.

with the Focusing issue, if his attention drifts someplace else, I send him the opposite direction and put him to work by doing difficult lateral work, etc. I've also found Magnesium and/or B1 seems to help him focus a bit better.